iguana

noun

igua·​na i-ˈgwä-nə 

: any of various large chiefly herbivorous usually green or brownish tropical American lizards (family Iguanidae, the iguana family) that have a serrated dorsal crest and large dewlap

broadly : any of various large lizards

Illustration of iguana

Examples of iguana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Seaside Nature Park is home to wandering peacocks, ducks, chickens, pigs, iguanas, guinea fowls, and horses. —Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026

The sweet spot is curious grade-schoolers, tweens, and teens—the kind of kids who will come home knowing the difference between a marine iguana and a land iguana, and why that matters. —Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026

According to Wilkins, a single female iguana can lay up to 70 eggs, contributing to rapid population growth. —Joan Murray, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Michele Holtfreter planted fresh pentas in her yard this spring — only to find an iguana was tearing into her blossoms. —Ruth Abramovitz, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Arawak & Carib iwana

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing iguana

• marine iguana

Rhymes for iguana

• asana
• chicana
• liana
• madonna
• maulana
• nirvana
• purana
• sadhana
• ana
• bwana
• dhyana
• donna

Kids Definition

iguana

noun

igua·​na i-ˈgwän-ə 

: any of various large plant-eating tropical American lizards that have a ridge of tall scales along the middle of the back and loose skin hanging below the neck